Congratulations to Hollie Davidson as World Rugby have announced she will referee her second Rugby World Cup final this weekend.
This time round, Canada will play England in Saturday’s showcase final. She’ll be accompanied on the field by Aimee Barrett-Theron and Clara Munarini , with Leo Colgan and Matteo Liperini on TMO and FPRO duties respectively.
The Bronze match will be refereed by Australia’s Ella Goldsmith, supported by Kat Roche, Sara Cox, Quinton Immelman and Ian Tempest. Congrats Ella and team.
Davidson, who made her test debut on 9 November, 2018 when England beat USA 57-5, is refereeing in her second Women’s Rugby World Cup, having also been called up as an assistant referee for the 2017 tournament in Ireland.
The RWC 2025 final will be Davidson’s 46th test in the middle, the third highest for a female official in test history behind Sara Cox (51) and Aimee Barrett-Theron (49). It will be her ninth match at the showpiece tournament and eighth test of the year. She joins Ed Morrison and Andre Watson in refereeing 2 World Cup finals.
World Rugby Chair Brett Robinson said, “On behalf of World Rugby, congratulations to Hollie on her selection for as the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final referee. To take charge of two Rugby World Cup finals is an incredible achievement and reflection of a match official who is at the top of her game. We wish her well, along Ella Goldsmith, and all the assistant referees, TMOs and FPROs, who will be playing their part in making history at a full Allianz Stadium.”
Chair of the Emirates World Rugby Match Officials Selectors, Su Carty added, “Congratulations firstly to Hollie on the incredible achievement of refereeing her second Women’s Rugby World Cup final and to Ella for her appointment to the bronze final, a testament to how she has progressed and performed in the tournament. They have both earned their place on merit, courtesy of their consistently high level of performance at this tournament.
“Officiating is a true team effort, and the whole group of match officials are right behind the those selected for both matches. It is testament to the talent and drive that we have across the team that selection meetings are always tough. Go well everyone!”
World Rugby Women’s High-Performance Referee Manager Alhambra Nievas said, “Rugby World Cups are the pinnacle in our sport, and to referee two finals is an outstanding achievement, that should not be underestimated. Hollie is a top referee, a trailblazer, and a role model, setting a standard to which the match officials’ group aspires to. I hope that all those selected cherish what will be a very special Finals Day.”
Previous Women’s Rugby World Cup final referees:
- 1991 – Les Peard (Wales)
- 1994 – Jim Fleming (Scotland)
- 1998 – Ed Morrison (England)
- 2002 – Giulio De Santis (Italy)
- 2006 – Simon McDowell (Ireland)
- 2010 – Sarah Corrigan (Australia)
- 2014 – Amy Perrett (Australia)
- 2017 – Joy Neville (Ireland)
- 2021 – Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup Final match official appointments
Final: Canada v England
Referee: Hollie Davidson (Sco)
ARs: Aimee Barrett-Theron (SA) & Clara Munarini (Ita)
TMO: Leo Colgan (Ire)
FPRO: Matteo Liperini (Ita)
Bronze: New Zealand v France
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Aus)
ARs: Kat Roche (USA) & Sara Cox (Eng)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (SA)
FPRO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
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